Virtue “…. that substance or quality of physical bodies, by which they act and produce effects on other bodies…..Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law.…. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws …..”

“Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth.”

From Strong's Concordance:

Virtuedunamis {doo'-nam-is}1411,from root word 1410

1. Strength power, abilitya) Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth.b) Power for performing miraclesc) Moral power and excellence of sould) The power and influence which belong to riches and wealthe) Power and resources arising from numbersf) Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

“If ignorance and passion are the foes of popular morality, it must be confessed that moral indifference is the malady of the cultivated classes. The modern separation of enlightenment and virtue, of thought and conscience, of the intellectual aristocracy from the honest and common crowd is the greatest danger that can threaten liberty.”Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2

"Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned." Neh. 1:6

"After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. But they could think of nothing, because all the people were attentive to every word he said."Luke 19:47-48

Benevolence: The disposition to do good; good will; kindness; charitableness; the love, of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness; charityvs--Cold heartedness; ill will; malevolence; meanness; unkindness

"Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." 1 Cor. 7:3"Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." NKJV 1 Cor. 7:3

Charitable: Benevolent and kind; as a charitable disposition; charity: In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.vs--Cheap; malevolent; mean; selfish; stingy; tightfisted

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Col. 3:14“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned…” 1 Tim 1:5

Chastity: Purity of the body; freedom from all unlawful commerce of sexes. Before marriage, purity from all commerce of sexes; after marriage, fidelity to the marriage bed.vs-- Adultery; lust; promiscuity

Compassion: A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it. Extreme distress of an enemy even changes enmity into at least temporary affection.vs-- Disregard; indifference; unconcern

"He being full of compassion forgave their iniquity." Psalm 78:38

"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15

"The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." Psalm 145:8

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous" 1 Peter 3:8

Conscientious: Influenced by conscience; governed by a strict regard to the dictates of conscience, or by the known or supposed rules of right and wrong; as a conscientious judge.vs--Careless; irresponsible

“Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.” 1 Cor. 10:24 NKJV

Contentment: A resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet; acquiescence.vs-- Displeasure; dissatisfaction; unhappiness“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Courage: That quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.vs-- Cowardness

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31:6

Diligence: Perseverance; steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or slothvs-- Absent-mindedness, carelessness, unconcern

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Devotion: A great love or loyalty, enthusiastic zeal. The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.vs--apathy, disloyalty, indifference, negligence

Dutifulness: A respect for the natural order-- socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others; reverence and respect.vs--Rebellion; self-centeredness

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.” Ecc. 12:13

Endurance: A bearing or suffering; a continuing under pain or distress without resistance, or without sinking or yielding to the pressure; sufferance; patience; stamina.vs--Weakness, faintheartedness

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

Faithfulness: Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.vs--Infidelity, disobedient

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lam. 3:21-23

Honesty: In principle, an upright disposition; moral rectitude of heart; a disposition to conform to justice and correct moral principles, in all social transactions. Truthful; sincere.vs-- Lying, cheating, deceit

Hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.vs--Disbelief, unbelief

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5

Humility: Not arrogant or boastful; freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. Humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God.vs-- Prideful

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.” Prov.15:33

Industry: Habitual diligence in any employment, either bodily or mental; steady attention to business; assiduity; opposed to sloth and idleness.vs--Absent-mindedness, indolence, laziness

“Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.” Ben Franklin

Integrity: The entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty. Integrity comprehends the whole moral character, but has a special reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfers of property, and agencies for others.vs--Promiscuity, inconsistency

Joy: “The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.”vs--Disgust, discontent

“Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross….” Hebrews 12:2

Justice: “The virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other; honesty; integrity in commerce or mutual intercourse.”vs--Unfairness

“Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”Ben Franklin

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…” NKJV 1 Thes. 2:10

Kindness: “Good will; benevolence; that temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; benignity of nature. Kindness ever accompanies love.” Compassion.vs--Disregard, unconcern

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.”Prov. 31:26

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering…” Col. 3:12

Love: “In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received.”vs-- Hate

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deut. 6:5

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations…” Deut. 7:9

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21

Mercy: Mildness and Gentleness. “That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.”vs--Cruelty, ill-will, indifference, vindictiveness

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.” Philippians 4:5

“Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”Ben Franklin

Modesty: Moderation; decency. “Modesty, as an act or series of acts, consists in humble, unobtrusive deportment, as opposed to extreme boldness, forwardness, arrogance, presumption, audacity or impudence. Modesty results from purity of mind, or from the fear of disgrace and ignominy (shame) fortified by education and principle. Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of their honor.”vs-- Promiscuity, indecency, over confidence

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array…”1 Timothy 2:9

Neatness: “Very clean; free from foul or extraneous matter. Pure; free from impure words and phrases; as a neat style.”vs--Sloppy

Obedience: Willingness to obey, to be controlled when necessary, to carry out ordersvs-- Defiance

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Cor. 12:5

Orderliness: a state of being methodical.vs-- Disorganization

Patience: The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.vs-- Anger

Peace: Freedom from mental agitation; serenityvs-- Discord

Perseverance: Persistence in any thing undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business or enterprise begun; applied alike to good or evil.

Punctual: Exact; observant of nice points; punctilious, particularly in observing time, appointments or promises. It is honorable in a man to be punctual to appointments, or to appointed hours; it is just to be punctual in paying debts.vs--tardy

Purity: Cleanness; freedom from foulness or dirt; as the purity of a garment.Vs--tainted, unclean, defiled

Tact: Perception or discernment in regards to feelings of others.Vs--rash, uncaringTemperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion.vs—mediocrity

Tenacity: Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose. That quality of bodies which keeps them from parting without considerable force.vs--brittleness or fragility

Thankful: Grateful; impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it.“Be thankful to him, and bless his name.” Ps.100:4vs--ungrateful

My Shelfari Bookshelf

My New Favorite Poem

The Wreckers of Homes

The Prince of the legions of darkness was sitting ensconced on his teetering throne,Awaiting an army of specialized demons whose job was the wrecking of homes.They were due to report on the war they had waged, and soon they came canteringhither;From the four winds they came, the demons and imps, from yon and afar and fromthither.“Report!” barked the Prince. One by one they came forward-and told of the homesthey had wrecked, wantonly, shamelessly splitting them up with a pitiless,morbid effect.“I drove the wedges,” said Jealousy slyly, a shriveled black imp with a glare,“I invaded their thoughts with satanical skill. It’s a cinch when I break up a pair.”: Oh, yeah!” sneered Mistrust, “I am far more effective. I sit on their shoulders andwhisper.I perch there, for instance, and say to the wife, “He’s a teller of tales, is your mister.”Next I say he’s a liar, then say he’s unfaithful, then I say: “You just watch him a bit,”And before very long she sees all kinds of things, And I prod her to tell him ‘I quit.’”“Ha! You are not half as successful as I!” Infidelity said with a grin,“You are merely a Doubt, but I am The Deed, I’ve got medals to prove that I win.”“Ho, ho!” laughed Old Alcohol, veteran demon, “You’d seldom have won but for me!I take special delight in breaking up homes,” he chuckled with hideous glee.Up piped an imp, Carnal Courtship by name, “If it were not for me...” (and he cackled)“If I had not got them all started off wrong, you big shots would feel mightyshackled.”Boredom and Laziness, Incident Nagger and Cruelty all took their turn.Spite made a hit, and Hatred another, with tales that would make your ears burn.“Did you get them ALL?” roared the Prince from his throne. They were allshamefaced, and suddenly still. They shriveled in silence and trembled withterror, appearing dejected and ill.“Report!” the Prince thundered. “What have you to say?” One quivered, “You simplydon’t knowWhat it’s like in some homes. We are demons of darkness and simply can’t getthrough The Glow.”“What glow?” screamed the Ruler. “We don’t know just what,” said the imp with atremulous grin,For one thing, they start off the day with a prayer – and that kind, well, it’s hard to getin.”“Pshaw!” said the Prince. “It is true,” countered jealousy. “O you don’t know howI’ve tried.I have pounded their ears. I have battered their brains, but I had to get out e’re I died.The moment I come to the husband or wife they call on the One – you know Who –And He comes, and I haven’t a chance in the world! In that case, Prince, just whatwould you do?”“And I, sir,” said Hatred, “have neither a chance, not a ghost of a chance I say,When a fool keeps whispering to his wife, ‘I love you more every day!’”“You can’t say that I haven’t tried,” pouted anger. “Sometimes I’ll even get in;And just when I think I am winning the battle, they jump up and call me a sin.”“I,” said Old Laziness, lolling around, “If Hatred can’t do it, why bother!For with Love in the way, those husbands and wives do nothing but slave for eachother.”“And I,” mumbled Boredom, “I know Who’s at fault, it’s that FOE Who again isalive!They sing about Him and they talk about Him, and I haven’t a chance to survive.”Carnal Courtship crouched low so the prince of the ranks would forget that he evenwas there.He spied him in spite of it. “Carnal,” Prince roared, “Why did you not tempt everypair?”“I tried!” quivered Carnal, “but what can you do? Some won’t even bite. Somerepent,And the Enemy comes and He chases you out; and, sir, when HE sends, you areSENT!”“Are there many homes left where we haven’t a foothold?” the prince of thespecialists queried.“Quite a few,” sighed the imps. “They are simply impervious. They have left us allweakened and wearied. Those marriages last, O twenty-five years! It’s acinch that they last for life.They get harder and harder and harder to wreck – those homes where the husband andwifeHave Yahushua at the head, and they all pray together, are submissive and loving and true:And frankly, we’ll tell you, to break up that kind is more than we demons can do!”